This year, 11 nominees are applying for the Latvian Architecture Annual Award, which was announced on 28 July in a special event. Both grandiose public building objects and challenging and creative solutions will compete for the main prize. In one case, the help of foreign colleagues was even requested, because the opinions of local experts were radically opposite, says TV3 News.
The Latvian Architecture Annual Award is an annual national architecture competition with the aim of identifying and popularizing the best performances of Latvian architecture, and promoting the high-quality development of architecture.
The selection jury has decided to direct the reconstruction of the Song Festival Stage in Mežaparks for the final of the competition – the most grandiose of all the candidates.
Also, several historical houses that have been rebuilt in accordance with modern requirements, for example, the reconstruction of the “Roche” office building on Miera Street, the reconstruction of the Stūķu barn into a residential building in Kārļi, Cēsis region and the transformation of Rūmene manor barn.
“Here we have really managed to connect different eras and their dictated needs in a harmonious and restrained way. The scale and proportionality of the mutual details are perfectly observed, ”says architect and jury member Evelīna Ozola.
The work of the office “Sampling”, which looks especially good in winter, surrounded by snow, is also amazing.
The range of works submitted to the “Latvian Architecture Annual Award 2021” reflects the current Latvian architectural environment, the main trends and the most significant processes. The competition evaluates not only objects – buildings, environmental objects, interiors, landscape architecture – but also processes, events, publications, exhibitions and projects. Interestingly, there was no consensus among experts on a controversial restored object, which was not discovered today.
“Therefore, we made a strange decision – we will not put the list of nominees right away, but we will ask a special, neutral jury that does not know their local situation in such detail, but maybe has a side view,” explains “Latvian Architecture Annual Awards 2020” Grand Prix ”recipient Andris Kronbergs.
Architects have been disappointed by public procurement objects, where the requirements of customers have hindered the achievement of high architectural results.-
“The criteria for selecting those performers are not architecturally oriented enough. To everything else, but not always to architectural quality issues. Therefore, in our discussions we talked a lot about public procurement, about the method and its impact on architecture, ”explains Kronbergs.
The award ceremony of the Latvian Architecture Annual Award will take place on August 27.
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